Our affordable online Tax Preparation course

"Online Tax Preparation course" may not sound high stakes, but reconsider. Taxes are everywhere. All working adults and all businesses, large and small, must file their taxes at least once per year. That makes professional tax preparers a valuable commodity with ongoing sources of work—high stakes when it comes to your career choice. Our online Tax Preparation course gives you specialized skills, focusing on the essentials of preparing federal tax returns for individuals and small businesses. It also prepares you to take the National Bookkeepers Association (NBA) Tax Certification Exam.

Professional certification

Our online Tax Preparation course includes the cost of the National Bookkeepers Association Tax Certification Exam*, practice test, and your official certificate when you pass the exam. Certification validates your skills and identifies you as credible and qualified.

What you get

NBA Tax Certification Exam and practice test (a $150 value)

Hard copy textbook: J.K. Lasser's Your Income Tax

Digital access to J.K. Lasser supplements

BinderTM mobile app for taking your learning materials on-the-go

Student Portal dashboard for instant access to lessons and support

Learning Resource Center online libraries and labs

ProQuest® digital access to thousands of sources for research

An active online community of fellow students, staff, and grads

$36,550

median salary

Job opportunities

Great things are happening in the tax prep industry. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, due to industry growth and position replacements, there will be approximately 20,000 job openings in this area by 2026**.

CERTIFICATION EXAM

Make it official. Certification may help you obtain work, improve your pay, and boost your career path.

FLEXIBLE STUDIES

Do your coursework online anytime, anywhere on a schedule that fits your lifestyle.

ACCREDITED COURSES

You have goals. We have standards. Let’s do great things together.

CERTIFICATION EXAM

Make it official. Certification may help you obtain work, improve your pay, and boost your career path.

FLEXIBLE STUDIES

Do your coursework online anytime, anywhere on a schedule that fits your lifestyle.

ACCREDITED COURSES

Frequently asked questions

You may be taking your first steps into higher education. Or you may be considering online study for the first time. Whatever your situation, we're here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you have.

Yes. The course content in our tax preparer training is designed to teach the knowledge and skills that professional tax preparers actually use on the job, in the real world. By the end of the course you should be ready to take the National Bookkeepers Association Tax Certification Exam, which we include as part of your training. Passing the exam will serve to validate what you have learned and can make you stand out from the crowd.

Yes! All students in our tax preparer certification course receive personalized career assistance. We'll help you create an impactful resume, prepare for interviews and explore job opportunities that may be available in your area. Of course, taking our Tax Preparation course is a good foundation for starting your own business, too.

We allow you up to one year from the date of your enrollment to complete your tax preparer training. A self-paced, flexible study schedule is one of the many advantages of pursuing your education at Ashworth College.

Related programs

Enroll in our online Tax Preparation course, or explore our range of affordable, flexible, and accredited career programs that can boost your business skills in similar areas.

State requirements

A career in this field may require you to meet certain licensing, training, and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. You should check with your state, local government, and/or licensing board to find out which requirements may be applicable in your state. Click here for contact information on state licensing/regulatory boards and certain professional licensing information.

**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2015 wage data and 2014-2026 employment projections. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2026). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Ready to get started?

Advance your career in our online API Program Name program. Call 1-800-957-5412